Mosquitos are definitely a bane of summer life in Vermont, but rarely like this.

Recent discoveries of the potentially fatal mosquito-borne illness Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have prompted the cancelation or rescheduling of several events in Burlington. The center of the region’s public-gathering activities, Vermont’s largest city is one of the areas of highest risk for EEE, according to the Vermont Department of Health.

That has led the Health Department to “strongly recommend” that people in communities of elevated risk limit outdoor exposure between prime mosquito times of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. until the first hard frost that kills mosquitos arrives. Five high-risk communities – Burlington, Colchester, Alburgh, Swanton and Sudbury – have been identified by the Health Department.

Cancelations or rescheduling of events in Burlington include:

Oktoberfest Vermont

Perhaps the largest event affected by EEE, Oktoberfest Vermont would have taken place Sept. 20-21 at Waterfront Park. More than 30 breweries and cideries – including Chittenden County businesses Zero Gravity, Switchback, Burlington Beer, American Flatbread, Citizen Cider, Four Quarters, Black Flannel, Goodwater and Green Empire – were due to participate in the event that often sells out.

“While the eventual outcome of this virus’ impact and the general response from the public is not our judgment call to make, the significant costs associated with organizing this event prevent us from delaying this decision any further to find out,” reads a statement from Oktoberfest Vermont posted Sept. 3 to social media. “Please know that this decision was not made lightly and we share your disappointment.”

The decision was based on “strong recommendations” from the Vermont Department of Health and City of Burlington, according to the post. Full refunds for those who already bought tickets for Oktoberfest Vermont were due by Sept. 4.

Summervale

The annual music-and-food event held during the summer at the Intervale along the Winooski River canceled its Aug. 29 and Sept. 5 events “for the safety of our staff and our community,” according to Summervale’s website. This year’s weekly celebration began July 11 before its abrupt end.

Burlington City Arts concerts

The annual concert series presented by Burlington City Arts has been disrupted by EEE. Daytime events remain in City Hall Park, but evening performances are being moved indoors to locations including Contois Auditorium inside Burlington City Hall. The Aug. 30 performance by The Discussions was canceled because of the short notice of the EEE recommendations.

Movies at The Frame

The Frame along the Lake Champlain waterfront has been hosting movies at 8 p.m. Thursday nights this summer. A screening of “Barbie” that had been scheduled for Sept. 5 at the former Moran Plant site has been canceled because of the threat of EEE.

EEE cases in Vermont

According to the Vermont Department of Health website, 47 groups of mosquitos tested positive for the EEE virus across 11 communities, compared with 14 groups in three towns in 2023. The first Vermont case of EEE in humans since 2012 was detected in Chittenden County in August.

“EEE virus activity in Vermont clusters near acidic, hardwood swamps, most commonly in Franklin, Grand Isle, Addison, and northern Rutland counties,” according to the state Health Department. “However, EEE virus could be circulating in other parts of the state, so all Vermonters should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.”

Communities listed by the Vermont Department of Health as having moderate risk for EEE are Milton, Vergennes, Grand Isle, Cornwall and Whiting. The towns of Highgate, Fairfield, Benson, Brandon, Leicester and New Haven have a low risk for EEE, according to the Health Department.

“Most people who do get sick (from EEE) experience a flu-like illness with fever, chills, body aches, and joint pain,” according to the Vermont Department of Health. “This illness can last one to two weeks, and most people recover completely when there is no central nervous system involvement.”

In rare cases, according to the state Department of Health, infection of the brain and spinal cord results, causing sudden high fever, a stiff next and a worsening headache.

“About one-third of people who develop encephalitis from an infection with the EEE virus will die,” the Health Department’s website reads. “Among those who survive, many are left with mild to severe disabilities.” People over age 50 or younger than 15 are at greatest risk for developing severe disease, according to the Health Department.

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Amid the threat of triple-e, should folks be attending evening events in high-risk communities?

Vermont health officials issued a warning last Wednesday recommending people in high-risk towns to take protective measures against eastern equine encephalitis, a rare but serious disease spread by infected mosquitos. Those recommendations included staying inside as much as possible between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. for high-risk towns including Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester, and Swanton.

Burlington’s Summervale event was canceled last week because of the triple-e concerns. Organizers of Oktoberfest Vermont 2024 at the Burlington Waterfront on Monday said they were also pulling the plug. But this coming weekend’s Arthop is on, Organizers have acknowledged the triple-e threat on their website with an advisory.

State epidemiologist Patsy Kelso says it’s all about informing residents and visitors so that they can make the decision that’s right for them.” We are not explicitly saying events should be canceled. We’re leaving that decision up to local jurisdictions, but people should be informed and then make their own decisions about if an event is not canceled, whether they want to attend and what precautions they might want to take,” she said.

Most people infected with triple-e do not develop symptoms, Those who do may experience a flu-like illness or fever, chills, body aches, and joint pain. One-third of people with severe illness die. So far, one death and three cases have been reported in New England.

Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.

The 2024 Vermont high school fall season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from soccer, field hockey, volleyball, golf and cross-country running.

To report scores: Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

►Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

►Contact Judith Altneu at jaltneu@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

SUNDAY’S COLLEGE GAMES

Women’s soccer

Fairleigh Dickinson 1, Vermont 1

V: Bailey Ayer 1G. Kate Bossert 1A. Dani Pollard 5 saves.

FD: Marina Burzaco 1G.

Note: Ayer scored her fourth goal in five games, a 20th-minute tally that gave Vermont (1-1-3) a 1-0 lead.

Field hockey

Rutgers 5, Vermont 0

R: Guillermina Causarano 2G.

V: Ila Gunner 4 saves. Merle Vaandrager 7 saves.

Note: Ninth-ranked Rutgers gained a 2-0 halftime lead in its home win. Vermont falls to 0-2.

MONDAY’S H.S. GAMES

Men’s soccer

Vermont 1, San Diego State 0

V: Maximilian Kissel 1G. Yaniv Bazini 1A. Andrew Millar 1A. Lou Liedtka 1 save.

SD: Eddy Vargas 5 saves.

Note: Kissel’s first career Division I goal arrived in the 41st as Vermont (1-1-1) defeated San Diego State on the road. The Catamounts play their home opener vs. American this Saturday.

TUESDAY’S COLLEGE GAMES

Women’s soccer

Vermont at Siena, 4 p.m.

TUESDAY’S H.S. GAMES

Field hockey

Games at 4 p.m. unless noted 

Stowe at Lyndon 

Hartford at St. Johnsbury 

Missisquoi at North Country

Milton at Harwood 

Windsor at Bellows Falls

Burr and Burton at Rutland

Girls soccer

Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted

Essex at Rice

Burlington at Stowe

Winooski at Richford

Rutland at Colchester

Harwood at Mount Mansfield

Lake Region at St. Johnsbury

Blue Mountain at Thetford

Montpelier at Middlebury

BFA-Fairfax at Danville/Twinfield/Cabot

Peoples at Mount Abraham

Enosburg at Vergennes

Burr and Burton at Champlain Valley

Lamoille at Paine Mountain

Missisquoi at Milton, 6 p.m.

South Burlington at Mount Anthony, 6 p.m.

Girls volleyball 

Games at 6 p.m. unless noted

Rice at South Burlington 

Montpelier at Harwood 

Randolph at Essex

Hartford at Mount Anthony

Bellows Free at Mount Mansfield

Vermont Commons at Middlebury 

Lyndon at Enosburg 

WEDNESDAY’S COLLEGE GAMES

Women’s soccer

Vermont at Siena, 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY’S H.S. GAMES

Field hockey 

Games at 4 p.m. unless noted 

Champlain Valley at Essex

South Burlington at Rice 

Colchester at Mount Mansfield 

U-32 at Mount Abraham 

Fair Haven at Otter Valley

Woodstock at Brattleboro, 4:15 p.m. 

Middlebury at Burlington, 4:30 p.m. 

Girls soccer

North Country at BFA-St. Albans, 7 p.m.

Boys soccer

Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted

Mount Anthony at U-32

Lamoille at BFA-Fairfax

Winooski at Peoples

Missisquoi at Lake Region

Danville at Lyndon

Rice at Colchester

Thetford at Blue Mountain

Spaulding at Middlebury

Richford at Enosburg

South Burlington at Burr and Burton

Montpelier at St. Johnsbury, 7 p.m.

Boys volleyball 

Games at 6 p.m. unless noted

South Burlington at Rice

Burlington at Mount Mansfield

Essex at Champlain Valley

(Subject to change)